More Charges Added in Murder Case Following Grand Jury Indictment

SAN ANGELO, TX – After originally only being charged with Murder, Sydney Kennon's list of charges has increased to three total charges.

As previously reported, on Feb. 9, officers with the San Angelo Police Department were dispatched to the Cheyenne Crossing Apartments on W. 31st St. for the report of a shooting victim. For the original story see: San Angelo Woman Arrested for Brutal Murder in North San Angelo

As officers were responding to the scene they found a suspect attempting to flee the scene while another person was lying dead in the parking lot. Officers quickly detained the suspect and identified her as 23-year-old Sydney Kennon.

Paramedics on scene did not arrive before the male victim died. Before the male died a bystander who heard the gun shot attempted CPR. A justice of the peace was called to the scene and the victim was identified as 51-year-old Roy Perez. 

Officers began getting statements from everyone who was involved at the apartment where the shooting occurred. They began with Kennon. She started by stating that she, Roy Perez Jr., Roy Perez Sr. and Amanda Morgan all went to the Wal-Mart on W. 29th St. They claimed they went because Perez Jr. was going to buy them all cell phones. After buying the phones the crew returned to the apartment complex. 

When they got back to their apartment, Kennon claims that Perez and Perez Jr. became involved in an argument. She claimed that Perez would often get angry for no reason.

Kennon told officers that the argument escalated and the two men ended up pulling knives on each other. She then claims to have went to Morgan and attempted to get her to make Perez leave. Kennon claims that when they tried to kick Perez out that he just became very upset and began yelling which forced them to physically remove Perez from the apartment. She claimed that he began threatening her which forced her to go inside and grab a gun. 

Once outside of the apartment she claims that Perez pulled a knife on her. Kennon told officers that she pulled the trigger first and nothing happened. She then cocked it and shot the man in the chest. After pulling the trigger, Kennon claims she went into shock and just ran away. She finished her statement by saying that she threw the gun and ammunition in a trash bin.

Perez Jr. was then interviewed. He stated that he and his father had gotten into an argument. He asked his father to leave but after refusing he pushed him out of the door. The confrontation continued and Kennon got involved. He said during the shooting he saw his father go toward Kennon but did not see him pull any weapon.

Amanda Morgan claimed during her interview that the once the group returned to the apartment Jr. wasn't comfortable with Sr. being there so Morgan asked everyone to leave. She said that this is when Sr. got upset and Jr. came out of the back room to stand up to his father. Morgan told officers that Perez Jr. pushed his father out of the front door and onto the ground.

Morgan stayed inside but heard Kennon say I will shoot you followed by a gun shot. Morgan told officers that she never saw anyone with a knife.

Two more people were inside the apartment that day. Duane Dodson, who claims that he was in the apartment before the shooting occurred. He told officers that it was quite at the apartment that day until Perez and Kennon began arguing.

Dodson claims when the fight started to break out he attempted to leave by Perez Jr. came out of the back room which force Dodson to stay on the balcony. While on the balcony he heard Kennon yell "I'll shoot you" and then saw her shoot Perez. Dodson claims that he knows that Perez did not have a knife in his hand during the fight.

The last person at the apartment was Ancirea Huffman. She told officers that she also went to Walmart with the crew. Once back at the apartment "they were all chilling" and Morgan made a comment indicating everyone needed to getup. She assumed that Morgan needed to talk to Perez Jr. and Kennon. Huffman stated that Perez got upset and he and his son began to "scuffle." Kennon then got involved but Huffman did not see anyone pull a knife on the victim.

At the time of the incident, SAPD did not arrest Kennon for murder. Instead they released the following statement. For more see: SAPD: No Charges in Northside Homicide

"The preliminary investigation revealed the alleged female suspect witnessed Perez assaulting another male at the property just prior to the shooting.  When the woman attempted to intervene, Perez pursued her with a knife and the woman shot Perez in an apparent act of self-defense.In conjunction with the District Attorney’s Office, it was decided that no charges would be filed at this time.  This is an ongoing investigation and no other information is available for release."

Then on Mar. 4 at 6:04 p.m. Kennon was arrested by the SAPD and was booked into the Tom Green County Detention Center for Murder. 

After months of gathering evidence the district attorney's office was able to get Kennon indicted on three charges; Murder, Tampering with Evidence, and Obstruction or Retaliation.

Count one states that Kennon intentionally and knowingly shot Robert Perez Sr. which resulted in his death. Count two states that Kennon intentionally hid a firearm which was used in the Murder of Perez Sr. County three states that Kennon threatened to cause harm to the bystander who performed CPR on Perez Sr. 

Kennon remains in the jail on a $450,000 bond.